With the arrival of Brian Malarkey’s Gingham in La Mesa, much attention has been paid to East County’s culinary scene. So it’s the perfect time to ask the Superdiners, what are some must-try eateries in the east?

The huitlacoche quesadillas were a great way to start off at Ranas Mexico City Cuisine (9683 Campo Road. Spring Valley, 619-589-1792 or ranasrestaurant.com), but the pollo en cacahuate (chicken in peanut sauce) was a revelation that spurred me on to cook a similar dish at home with pork. — Matthew Rowley, food historian, blogger (whiskeyforge.com; Twitter @mbrowley)

Certain areas of a city have their own personality and it’s great that it applies to the food expressed in these areas, too. When I want a fat, juicy, corn-fed steak that I don’t have to pay 50 bucks for, I head to Santee for a porterhouse at Pinnacle Peaks (7927 Mission Gorge Road. Santee. 619-448-8882 or pinnaclepeaksteakhouse.com) There is nothing quite like a well-aged steak cooked over an open pit, with cowboy beans and a baked potato. Simple and delicious, my only beef is no homage to the king of steaks…the rib eye. Come on, you have to prime-rib hook a brother up! — Ricardo Heredia, executive chef at Alchemy Restaurant

Terra American Bistro’s burger (7091 El Cajon Blvd., College Area. 619-293-7088 or terrasd.com): Owner and chef Jeff Rossman recently released a cookbook called “From Terra’s Table,” where he highlights farms from all over San Diego County. Jeff makes a real effort to support farms with his menu, too. — Robin Taylor, organic farmer at Suzie’s Farm and Sun Grown Organic Distributors

Eastbound Bar & Grill (10053 Maine Ave. Lakeside. 619-334-2566 or eastboundbarandgrill.com). The ambiance is kicked-back cowboy surf. Their Rodeo Burger is a half-pound buckaroo topped with smoked bacon, bbq sauce, onion rings and American cheese. Finish it and you’ll feel like you stayed on the bull for eight seconds. The Mexican Brunch is an El Dorado of dishes ranging from pozole to chorizo to machaca and host of offerings in between. Everyone is welcome: from kids to oldsters and cowhands to boarders. Live music and regular special events. — Gary W. Schons, local prosecutor, avid diner

At the time of this writing, it’s not open yet, but Tom Nickel, owner of O’Brien’s Pub in Kearny Mesa and Bailey’s Wood-Pit BBQ in Julian, just let me in on his plans to open West Coast Barbecue and Brew on Lake Murray Boulevard in March. It’ll be a combo craft-beer bar (30 taps, a solid bottle list) and barbecue-themed restaurant serving up the best of both of this brewer and entrepreneur’s wildly successful previous ventures. Any brew and ‘cue pairing should be a good one. — Brandon Hernández, food writer (Twitter @offdutyfoodie)

The Junction in Descanso, if you going that way for mountain biking or riding motorcycle with your buddies, make sure you stop. I love the carne asada torta for lunch and their breakfast are to die for, it’s a throwback and the owner has the most beautiful blue eyes I have seen East of the 5! — Fabrice Poigin, private chef, restaurant consultant

I’m a resident of downtown’s East Village and when thinking of points east, jokingly my friends say it’s difficult for me to wrap my head around anything further east than The Mission Restaurant on 13th Street. I have been impressed with the growing number of options in Kensington and even further east in La Mesa. I don’t venture out there much but when I do, I always enjoy a great, self-cooked steak and the interesting conversation around the communal grill with the unique crowd at The Riviera Supper Club & Turquoise Room. Additionally people west of the 805 forget sometimes about the great restaurant options in Kensington including Bleu Boheme and Kensington Grill, if you haven’t been in a while, it’s time to experience them again. — David Salisbury, a law firm’s director of business development, avid diner

On our way to a concert at Vieja’s Casino we stopped at the relocated Terra America Bistro. Chef Jeff Rossman did not disappoint with his farm-to-table restaurant and the Local Vegetable Penne Pasta was delicious. The restaurant was booming. — Randee Stratton, real estate broker, avid diner